Hurricane Milton grows larger as ‘extremely dangerous’ storm surges closer to Florida: Live updates
Multiple confirmed tornados tore across southern Florida as ‘storm of the century’ nears sunshine state
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Florida residents in the path of Hurricane Milton have received a last-ditch emergency alert to “GET OUT NOW” ahead of the storm making landfall on Wednesday night.
While Milton’s intensity continues to fluctuate, and again weakening to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center predicts it will be “one of the most destructive hurricanes on record for west-central Florida”.
The storm continues to grow in size and winds are expected to pick up on Florida’s west coast this afternoon, the NHC warned.
In Pinellas County’s latest emergency alert, officials pleaded with residents to “GET OUT NOW. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET OUT BEFORE THE STORM.”
Federal and state officials have urged those in Milton’s path to evacuate to avoid “catastrophic” winds, up to 18in rainfall and up to 15ft of storm surge, before the major hurricane slams into Florida’s west-central coast.
“This is the 11th hour. If you’re in an evacuation zone, the time to get out is now,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chard Chronister told CNN on Wednesday.
Vice President Kamala Harris warned that even the toughest Floridians won’t weather the “historic” hurricane, she said on The Late Show on Tuesday night.
Disney World announces rare closure due to Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton remains a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on Tampa and St. Petersburg, engulfing the populous region with towering storm surges and turning debris from Helene’s devastation 12 days ago into projectiles.
While the storm had previously weakened, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Tuesday that Hurricane Milton was once again a Category 5 storm.
Mike Schneider has more.
Disney World announces rare closure as tourist attractions ready for Hurricane Milton
Three major theme parks have announced closures ahead of Hurricane Milton
‘Empty streets and people’s lives on the curb’: Floridians brace for Hurricane Milton
Pinellas County residents have been left pondering whether parts of Florida will ever be “able to recover” upon Hurricane Milton making landfall on Wednesday evening.
Streets have been left desolate with millions of Floridians evacuating across the state, with Milton expected to slam into the west-central coast tonight.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of the storm leaving an “indelible mark” on communities up and down the Sunshine State. Now, Gulfport locals have shared their anguish.
“The streets are empty, people are preparing for the next round, you just see people’s lives out at the curb, it’s kind of sad,” resident Tim Phillips told WTSP.
Another local, Michelle Unterberger, added: “Are they ever going to be able to recover? Is this ever going to be the same? I don’t know.”
Just in: ‘Complete all life-saving prep now,’ NHC urges
The National Hurricane Center has urged for final pre-hurricane preparations to be “rushed to completion” ahead of Milton making landfall on Florida’s west coast this evening.
“Now is the time to rush to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan,” the NHC said in its latest statement.
“Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.”
Health officials warn of ‘life-threatening’ infections linked to Hurricane Milton
Florida health officials have warned of the potential for “life-threatening” infections to be caused by rising flood waters caused by Hurricane Milton.
Florida residents have been urged to avoid heavily-flooded areas due to the risk of Vibrio infections.
Exposure to the bacteria (often through open wounds or ingestion), which lives in coastal waters, can cause the illness vibriosis. The Vibrio infection can cause watery diarrhea, vomiting, blistering skin lesions and discharge – if wounds become infected.
“The Florida Department of Health (Department) urges residents and visitors to avoid floodwaters and prevent exposure to Vibrio in anticipation of flooding and heavy rain caused by Hurricane Milton,” the Florida Department of Health said in a statement on Tuesday.
About 1 in 5 people with this infection die, sometimes within a day or two of becoming ill, the Center for Disease and Control Prevention says on its website.
This iPhone feature could save your life in a hurricane
An iPhone satellite messaging function could help save lives during a hurricane.
The feature was added during a recent operating system update for millions of Apple users. It came just in time, Americans affected by Hurricane Helene said on social media.
Julia Musto has the full story.
This iPhone feature could save your life in a hurricane
Satellite mesaging helped Apple users contact family members during Hurricane Helene
Just in: Tornadoes ‘likely’ across Florida with central counties most at risk
Kamala Harris says even the toughest Floridians can’t wait out historic hurricane
Vice President Kamala Harris issued a stark warning that even toughest Floridians won't withstand Hurricane Milton.
The Democratic presidential nominee appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night.
“The Hurricane that is about to hit Florida is extremely serious. And it is predicted to be historic in proportion, in terms of the damage it will cause. And I know a lot of tough Floridians that have waited out many hurricanes and may think they can do the same with this one,” Harris said.
“This one’s going to be different,” the vice president warned.
She continued: “I ask anyone who’s watching, if you’re in Florida in the predicted path, if you have a family member who might think they can wait it out, please get in touch with them and tell them it’s not going to be like the ones we’ve seen before. Please follow your local leader’s instructions. And if they’re telling you to evacuate, grab your stuff and get out.”
Just in: Milton again weakens to Cat. 4 hurricane but winds to pick up on Florida’s west coast
‘11th hour’ for Florida residents as Hurricane Milton races to west coast
A county sheriff has warned that Florida is fast approaching its “11th hour” before Hurricane Milton slams into the west-central coast on Wednesday evening.
“This is the 11th hour. If you’re in an evacuation zone, the time to get out is now,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chard Chronister told CNN on Wednesday.
“We already saw some flooding out here early this morning. That’s only going to get worse. As this storm wobbles, we don’t know what kind of storm surge,” he said.
In a separate video posted by the sheriff’s department on X, Chronister added: “My message is simple: if you need to get someplace safe for whatever reason, the time to do so is now.”
Watch live: Tampa, Florida braces for ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton
Watch live view of Tampa as Florida braces for ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton
Watch a live view of Tampa on Wednesday (9 October) as Florida braces for “catastrophic” Hurricane Milton.
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